In order to find out which category you fall under, you can use tools such as Find Visa online. According to the data you provide, the website will generate the best category you should apply under. You will know which Australian visa best suits your specific situation. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. If you require further assistance, you will need to visit the visa office at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi. You should familiarise yourself with the different categories available for visa application to find the best one suited for you.
- Work visa
- Temporary Residence with work rights
- Working holiday maker
- Temporary entry visas
- Exchange
- Foreign Government Agency
- Special Program
- Working Holiday
- Educational
- Visiting Academic
- Entertainment
- Sport
- Media & Film Staff
- Public Lecturer
- Domestic Worker (Diplomatic/Consular)
- Domestic Worker (Overseas Executive)
- Religious Worker
- Occupational Trainee
- Visitor visa
- Business visa
- Student visa
- Permanent entry visa
- The Humanitarian Program
- The Migration Program
- Skilled Migrants
- Business Migrants
- Family Migrants
- Transit
- Medical Treatment
- Resident Return
- Obtaining Visa Label
- Citizenship By Descent
Once you have identified your visa category, you should read all the details and information available for that category. This will help you understand the process, documents required, fees and charges, photo specifications and the time it takes to process it.
How to Apply for Australian Visa
To apply for an Australian visa, you need to follow certain procedures. You are first required to get an application form. After you fill out the form, you need to pay the service fees and charges. You can then submit the form along with the documents required. After this, you will have to wait for your visa to be processed. You will be able to track your visa application status. Once it is processed, you will be notified if your visa is approved or rejected.
Australian Visa Application Form
You can download the form online or you can visit the nearest Australian Visa Application Center to get a form. Applicants should read all instruction carefully before filling the form. The form is detailed and has important information about your entry into Australia. Once you have read and understood the information, you can begin to fill out the form. Enter all the details required.
Australian Visa Application Payment
After you have filled in your form, you need to make the payment for the application fees. You can pay online or at the center. If you are applying from Australia, credit card payments are preferred. You can also use money orders or bank cheques. If you are paying from outside Australia, you need to check with the Application Centre on the accepted payment methods and the accepted currencies, and to whom the payment should be made payable.
The following charges may apply:
- Base Application Charge
- Non-Internet Application Charge
- Additional Applicant Charge of 18 years and above (at the time of application)
- Additional Applicant Charge of under 18 years (at the time of application)
- Subsequent Temporary Application Charge
The following are the modes of payment accepted for the visa application fees.
- Bank Cheque – payable to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
- Money Order – payable to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
- Credit Card – A surcharge may apply to credit card payments. If you are applying in Australia, credit card payment is preferred. The following credit cards are accepted.
- MasterCard
- Visa
- American Express
- JCB
- Diners Club
Australian Visa Documents Required
The documents you require will be mentioned on your application form. Documents vary between subtypes and between individuals. You need to keep all your documents ready. Also be educated on any other requirements the visa entails such a sponsorship, a letter of support, letter of invitation, health requirements and so on.
Submission
You need to read the Security Regulations thoroughly before you visit an Australian Visa Application Center. You can then visit the nearest centre located in India, Nepal or Bhutan and lodge an application. You can also send in your application via post to the centres that accept postal applications.
Post Submission
After you have submitted your application, the processing time can vary depending on your situation. Each subtype also takes different processing times. Please check your subcategory to find out the processing time for your application. If you have provided false information or inaccurate information, then this could hamper the processing time and can even lead to a rejection. You are advised not to book your air tickets to Australia before your visa is approved. Any delay or rejection of your application will result in the loss of the tickets and the expense of that will have to be borne by you.
Where to Apply for a Visa to Australia
You can apply for an Australian visa using any of the three methods listed below:
- Online – You can apply for a visa to Australia online. Fill up the relevant form on the Australian visa website and submit it.
- Australian Visa Application Centres – Visit the nearest center and lodge an application.
- Postal Service – You can send your application to the application centers via post.
Please refer to the table below to find the nearest application office and if postal services are available.
| Country | Region | Office | Address | Postal Application |
| India | New Delhi | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. | Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level,Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught PlaceNew Delhi-110001 | Postal Applications are NOT accepted |
| India | Chandigarh | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Elante Offices, Entry from Gate No. 3Unit no. B 209, Second Floor, Office Block B, Plot no. 178- 178A,Industrial & Business Park,Phase – I, Chandigarh (U T) 160002 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Jalandhar | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Aman Plaza, 3rd Floor,310 Lajpat Nagar, Mahavir Marg,Nakodar Chowk Opposite to Lovely AutosJalandhar -144001 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Mumbai – South | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Raheja Centre, Ground Floor,Nariman PointMumbai-400021 | Postal Applications are NOT accepted |
| India | Mumbai – North | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Trade Centre,5th Floor, Bandra Kurla ComplexBandra (East), Mumbai 400051 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Ahmedabad | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Gujarat Chambers Building,Shri Ambika Mills, Ashram Road,Ahmedabad 380009 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Pune | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Shorab Hall, Office no 5015th Floor, Tadiwala Road,Behind Pune Railway Station, Pune- 411101 | Postal Applications are NOT accepted |
| India | Chennai | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Fagun Towers, Second floor,No 74, Ethiraj Salai,Egmore, Chennai- 600 008 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Hyderabad | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Ashoka Capitol, 2nd Floor,Unit no. 206, Banjara Hills,Road no. 2, Hyderabad.500034Opp.KBR Park, Near TDP Office, Beside Hyundai Show Room | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Bangalore | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Unit No 3052nd Floor, Prestige Atrium,No 1, Central Street, Bangalore 560001 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Cochin | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | Ground Floor, S & T ArcadeKurisupally Road, Opp Cochin Shipyard Ravipuram, Cochin 682015 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| India | Kolkata | VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd | 5th Floor, Rene Tower, Building No. 1842,Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga,Landmark: Near Geetanjali StadiumKolkata – 700107 | Postal Applications are accepted |
| Nepal | Kathmandu | VF Services Mauritius Pte. Ltd | Academy of Culinary Arts,Ground Floor,Mahalaxmisthan MargaLagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal | Postal Applications are NOT accepted |
| Bhutan | Thimpu | Etho Metho Visa Application Centre | 5th Floor, Thimphu Plaza11 B Chang Lam 2Thimphu, Bhutan 11001 | Postal Applications are NOT accepted |
Tracking Australian Visa Application Status
You can track the status of your application online.
- For applications made before 1st July 2013, you can enter your application reference number, passport number and the purpose of travel that is mentioned on the receipt. You will receive the application status.
- For applications made after 1st July 2013, you only need to enter the VLN number and your date of birth as mentioned on the receipt.
- VFS Global will also send you application status alerts via email and SMS to the contacts you provided in your application form.